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Diversity is a term that is often used but never really discussed outside the walls of academia. My goal is to open up the lines of discussion about diversity, especially as the country and the world becomes increasingly diverse. I aim to inspire, provoke, but most of all bring diversified minds together to discuss diverse topics.

My Apology vs. The New York Post Apology

To my readers,In my last post I made a careless mistake. It was brought to my attention that I used a term that has been historically viewed as racist. At the time I was writing I was not aware that the term (call a spade a spade) had racial connotations. After researching the term and its meaning, I sincerely offer my apology. My intentions were merely to use a colloquial statement to illustrate a point. If my use of the phrase was viewed by anyone as the wrong use of words at best, or racially intolerant and/or insensitive at worst, then I apologize. While I don't believe in censorship, in the future I will use better judgment when using words or phrases. Especially when those words or phrases can be used to offend the people that I aim to advocate for.Thanks for understanding

Now see New York Post, this is a proper apology. What you all put out last night stands as one of the most disrespectful meaculpas that I ever have seen. I would have accepted the ubiquitous "we apologize if we offended anyone" comment. Even though I would not have believed it, it would have still went a long way to mend the fences that you all have broken. But instead you issue this garbage at the end of your apology.

However, there are some in the media and in public life who have had differences with The Post in the past - and they see the incident as an opportunity for payback.To them, no apology is due.Sometimes a cartoon is just a cartoon - even as the opportunists seek to make it something else.

Then why did you apologize. Who did you think would take an apology of that magnitude seriously. Did you not think that people would feel even more offended by the back-handed insult that you gave out. An apology of this magnitude is the equivalent of someone getting robbed and the robber apologizing in one breath while blaming the person for being a target in the next. Who did you think you were going to impress or assuage with that apology? All you have continued to do is raise the anger and the frustration amongst citizens around this country with your clear wanton disregard for decency and respect.

Today I stood with Al Sharpton, Spike Lee and hundreds of others in front of the headquarters of the New York Post. I have not always been a fan of Sharpton, but I felt compelled to stand there with him and voice my concern and support for this ridiculous situation. I urge everyone else in your own way to show and voice your support for this racially insensitive moment. As Martin Luther King Jr. said "we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." Don't be silent!

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Born and raised in Brooklyn, having attended both public and private schools and then attending college in Boston, I have lived a life dedicated to making diversity not only a term but a practice. Enjoy!